The first night after Nanette's arrival was very difficult for us both. She was rigid with fear and I was losing my confidence in bucketloads because of fatigue and a heavy feeling of responsibility. Needless to mention, neither of us had much sleep.
The next day, I phoned a Behaviourist and described the scenario. She said 'Put the food and the water down where you want her to eat and drink, show her the door and don't make eye contact.' I duly placed food and water in the kitchen where previous dear dogs (RIP) had always eaten....I knew as I did it that this was pointless in the circumstances.
Nanette had not eaten or taken water since her arrival and showed no signs of leaving her bed....as for showing her the door! It was a physical impossibility for me at 58 kilos and at my age to struggle against the resistance of a 26 kilo hunting dog!! and there was no one in the vicinity to call upon for help. It felt all wrong!!To add to my concern, Nanette had not had a pee since her arrival! or so I thought...until on approaching the bed, I saw it was soaking wet!! Actually urine was just running out of her....that's how terrified she was! At this point, I began to write a blog on a local website and had a lot of support and practical help from people I didn't know at all!! One exceptionally kind lady came all the way from Antibes (about 30 kilometres round trip!!) to bring a couple of packets of pads used for incontinent human patients!
This was marvellous and I soon learned the trick of pulling the soiled one out and somehow pushing the clean one under Nanette. She also began to get used to contact with me. However, we were making absolutely nil progress on the 'moving about' front. One 'expert' kept saying 'you have to get her in the garden!' as if I didn't know this!!
That night, in desperation..I left a plate of food and some water close to the side of her bed thus completely going against the advice that I had received.....believe it or not, I actually felt guilty!!!! I felt that I was doing it all wrong. In retrospect it makes me smile.
The next morning all the food had been 'woofed'!! but the water was not touched. I was greatly relieved and decided to put the plate of food IN THE BED the next day. What developed was an acceptable habit of eating at the same time each day, even though it was in the bed and on the third night she drank the entire bowl of water but only once I had gone to bed! This pattern of eating in the day and drinking water every 3 nights when I was in bed continued for some time.
I was so worried now (after a couple of weeks of this) because Nanette had not had a bowel movement since her arrival. I phoned my vet....Next time, I will tell you about the 'priceless wisdom' I was given!! Are you being a bit cynical Jil? You got it in one!!!!.... Have a lovely day!! xx